Michigan Waterfowl Hunting – Duck and Goose
At Hawkins Outfitters, we offer an exciting and unique waterfowl hunting experience that you won’t find anywhere else. With access to Michigan’s lakes, bays, rivers, and marshes, our kayak and boat waterfowl hunts provide an incredible opportunity to pursue ducks and geese in diverse, unpressured environments.
With multiple hunting methods, including boat, kayak, and field layout blinds, we’ve got a hunt that suits every type of waterfowl hunter. Whether you’re seeking mallards, teal, redheads, canvasbacks, or the occasional pintail or goldeneye, our hunts provide a truly diverse and rewarding waterfowl adventure.
Kayak Waterfowl Hunting:
Our kayak hunts are particularly special, allowing you to access remote backwater marshes that other hunters simply can’t reach. This is one of the most unique and engaging ways to hunt ducks and geese. Using sit-on-top kayaks from Diablo Paddlesports—designed specifically for hunting and fishing—you’ll glide through quiet backwaters and marshes that are completely inaccessible by boat. These kayaks are incredibly stable, allowing you to sit or even stand without worrying about tipping over, and you can engage in some of the most active and exciting waterfowl hunting you’ll ever experience. We meet at waterfowl management areas and paddle out to our secret marsh spots just before first light. The paddle itself is leisurely, usually taking about 15-20 minutes, and then you’ll set up and wait for the birds to come in. It’s often a solitary or small-group hunt, meaning you’ll get to enjoy the serenity of nature while hunting in one of the most undisturbed environments you can imagine.
Boat Waterfowl Hunting:
If you prefer hunting from a boat, we also offer boat hunts on rivers or lakes, using either a boat blind or land blind depending on the situation. We use floating techniques and strategic decoy placements to ensure you’re in the right spot to bring in those flocks of migrating birds. Our 1854 Prodigy Duck Boat is perfect for these hunts, offering ample space and stability to accommodate hunters while we motor out to blinds in the marsh or on the river. River hunting here is particularly interesting, as we only hunt sections where both sides of the river are public land or where we have permission to access private land. The combination of river drift hunting and our boat setup makes for a dynamic, challenging, and productive hunt.
Field Layout Blinds:
During certain times of the year, when the conditions are right and the birds are in the fields, we offer field layout blind hunts. These hunts are the most traditional way to hunt waterfowl, lying flat in the field, blending into the terrain, and waiting for ducks and geese to come into range. Field hunting can be incredibly rewarding, especially when we have fresh-cut fields and large flocks of birds using the area.
Target Species
Our waterfowl season typically runs late November through the end of February. During this time, the bird populations are high, and the hunt is at its most thrilling.
Michigan may not sit in the heart of traditional waterfowl flyways, but it still attracts a great variety of migrating ducks and geese. Our waterfowl hunts allow you to target a range of species, with diver ducks like goldeneyes and bluebills being particularly abundant during late season on the bays. Whether you’re calling mallards in the marshes or setting up over decoys for some high-flying geese, the variety of species and hunting environments make this a waterfowl hunter’s dream.
Where We Hunt
Hawkins Outfitters provides access to diverse and beautiful hunting terrain across Michigan, from marshy backwaters and rivers to the larger lakes and bays. We’ve crafted a variety of hunting methods to help you get the most out of these locations, and depending on the conditions, we’ll tailor the hunt to fit the terrain and the behavior of the birds.
The areas we hunt are a mix of accessible rivers, private and public marshes, and large, expansive bays. The backwaters and marshes are where you’ll find some of the best hunting, as they provide refuge for migrating birds. We often hunt areas with minimal pressure from other hunters, which means the birds are more likely to come into decoys and respond to calls. The unique geography, with winding rivers and secluded marshes, makes this area a waterfowl hunter’s paradise.
What's Included
- Snacks and beverages
- Lunch (depending upon hunt length)
What To Bring
Be sure to bring eye and ear protection. You’ll also need a shotgun, along with non-toxic ammunition. Waterfowl hunting can be unpredictable, so come prepared for anything. Layer your clothing to stay warm and dry, and be ready for the varying weather conditions of late fall and early winter. Whether it’s cold rain, gusty winds, or clear skies, the birds are always out there, and we’ll be ready to hunt no matter the weather.
- Eye and Ear Protection
- Shotguns
- Non-toxic Ammunition
- Alcohol (after the hunt it’s ok, but no consumption prior to using firearms)
- Drugs
Michigan Waterfowl Hunting – Duck and Goose FAQs
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$600 - $750
Trip Rate
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